Police are set to investigate after Channel 4 screened a documentary showing members of the public shoplifting and dealing drugs.

Cops received hundreds of complaints from viewers angry at apparent criminal activity that appeared on the show Benefits Street.

The five-part series shows residents of a tough inner-city area of Birmingham struggling to cope with cut to their benefits payments.

During last night’s opening episode producers filmed two of the participants buying drugs from a dealer in James Turner Street in Winson Green.

They also interviewed a man growing cannabis in his spare bedroom - which was allegedly later stolen by another star of the show.

In another scene, the convicted thief was filmed creating a shoplifting kit by lining a bag with foil to stop alarms going off.

The same man was later seen breaching an ASBO banning him from the city centre and later returning home with three stolen jackets.

West Midlands Police said they were “inundated” with complaints from the public both during and after last night’s episode.

They said they are currently reviewing the programme - and could launch investigations into its participants.

Its officers were filmed arresting the suspected shoplifter - identified as ‘Danny’ - after he breached his Asbo for a second time.

Supt Danny Long said the force was aware the production company, Love Productions, had been filming in James Turner Street.

“Like many people across the country, we saw the footage broadcast on the programme for the first time on Monday night,” he said.

“We have been inundated with comments from members of the public, many of whom are concerned about elements of show which showed criminal activity.

“We are currently assessing whether the content of the programme can assist us as part of any ongoing investigations or indeed whether any new inquiries should be launched in light of the material that has been broadcast.

“This work is ongoing and viewers will have seen for themselves that my officers have already been actively involved with some of the individuals featured.”